Wizard Modern Classic compared to Friedman

[braintheory]

What am I missing here? The opinions are so divided, kind of digressed a bit, and I haven't seen anyone take into consideration things like pickups and technique. Maybe Phil has a more percussive technique or pickups than people demoing Wizards? I was curious about this thread to see exactly how the Phil X compares to the Wizard Classic. The PhilX is an intriguing amplifier because with all that Friedman offers, I'm very curious to understand how this single channel amp fits in. Does it have clean headroom, or is it kind of a old school, rely your guitar volume kind of amp. Someone please explain in some detail because I'd like to know too.

I'd say it's more old school and you'll have to rely on the guitar's volume knob. It has a similar amount of gain on tap to a JCM800. I currently have a 2016 MTL and used to have a 1996 MC and Phil X side by side, but don't have those 2 anymore. I think there's divided opinions because while the wizard is more raw, organic sounding, unforgiving and responds faster to your playing, the Phil X will still actually have a more tight/focused sound when you chug or palm mute and will have a more compressed/forgiving feel, but is the least compressed/most open Friedman and from what I remember not actually that much more compressed than the MC I used to have, while something like the BE was more compressed, but the Phil X like I said is still gonna sound a bit filtered/not as organic or raw or upfront compared to the wizards. As I said before, I prefer the MTL, but the Friedmans are better if you want tighter (but definitely not better) sounding palm-mutes and I felt they had more growl and mids were a little closer sounding to the Marshalls and can feel more forgiving, greasy or fun for playing leads imo

 

[garey77]

They sound totally different to me.

 

[journeyman73]

What am I missing here? The opinions are so divided, kind of digressed a bit, and I haven't seen anyone take into consideration things like pickups and technique. Maybe Phil has a more percussive technique or pickups than people demoing Wizards? I was curious about this thread to see exactly how the Phil X compares to the Wizard Classic. The PhilX is an intriguing amplifier because with all that Friedman offers, I'm very curious to understand how this single channel amp fits in. Does it have clean headroom, or is it kind of a old school, rely your guitar volume kind of amp. Someone please explain in some detail because I'd like to know too.

its not a question of technique in this case.

They are two very different amps - makes complete logical sense that opinions would be divided, they are two very different amps and people look for very different things in their amps.

 

[idnotbe]

Percussive, immediate, dynamic?? Fryette Deliverance.

 

[tubortski]

What exactly do you prefer and how do you use them? Gigs, recording, personal rocking out at home?

 

[Alex_S]

One thing to mention are the mids, on the MTL I had they were very different than a Marshall. To me anyway. If you want more of a true Marshall midrange don't get the MTL. MCII is closer.

I wouldn't probably say te mids of the MTL are very different than a Marshall (you can dial it in to get close) but I completely agree the MC2 is much closer to a Marshall. Much more bite and nastiness. The MTL to my ears sounds "nicer" in comparison, the MC2 is always nasty as hell (considered to be a good thing)

 

[MistaGuitah]

What am I missing here? The opinions are so divided, kind of digressed a bit, and I haven't seen anyone take into consideration things like pickups and technique. Maybe Phil has a more percussive technique or pickups than people demoing Wizards? I was curious about this thread to see exactly how the Phil X compares to the Wizard Classic. The PhilX is an intriguing amplifier because with all that Friedman offers, I'm very curious to understand how this single channel amp fits in. Does it have clean headroom, or is it kind of a old school, rely your guitar volume kind of amp. Someone please explain in some detail because I'd like to know too.

I'd say it's more old school and you'll have to rely on the guitar's volume knob. It has a similar amount of gain on tap to a JCM800. I currently have a 2016 MTL and used to have a 1996 MC and Phil X side by side, but don't have those 2 anymore. I think there's divided opinions because while the wizard is more raw, organic sounding, unforgiving and responds faster to your playing, the Phil X will still actually have a more tight/focused sound when you chug or palm mute and will have a more compressed/forgiving feel, but is the least compressed/most open Friedman and from what I remember not actually that much more compressed than the MC I used to have, while something like the BE was more compressed, but the Phil X like I said is still gonna sound a bit filtered/not as organic or raw or upfront compared to the wizards. As I said before, I prefer the MTL, but the Friedmans are better if you want tighter (but definitely not better) sounding palm-mutes and I felt they had more growl and mids were a little closer sounding to the Marshalls and can feel more forgiving, greasy or fun for playing leads imo

Good description. Thanks for explaining. It sounds like Wizard amps are for real pros. I'll take the forgiveness of Friedman then. LOL.

 

[zuel69]

Once it's live and loud, all dialed in, FX8 in and out of the loop...all these great amps sound pretty damn similar. Or close enough anyway for me, that's when it boils down to the loop and yea the clean channel as well.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

As I said before, I prefer the MTL, but the Friedmans are better if you want tighter (but definitely not better) sounding palm-mutes and I felt they had more growl and mids were a little closer sounding to the Marshalls and can feel more forgiving, greasy or fun for playing leads imo

Not sure if you meant to say this or have it reversed... but my MTL is way tighter, more focused, and holds together at loud volumes better than any Friedman. Way tighter palm mutes on the MTL. The notes start to smear and run together on the Friedmans.

 

[chris lykins]

Have to agree with the Wizard love. I picked up a Wizard MC2 50 watt and that thing has both great tone and feel! I find it really easy to play and super percussive. Love it way more than my Dirty Shirley!

 

[lespaul6]

Have to agree with the Wizard love. I picked up a Wizard MC2 50 watt and that thing has both great tone and feel! I find it really easy to play and super percussive. Love it way more than my Dirty Shirley!

 

[Devilinside]

I’ll jump in as well. Had a Friedman JJ, and though it was an awesome amp I knew the second I flipped the switch on my MTL, there was something really special!
Kinda hard to explain, but a supremely organic gain structure.
I did also have an old kitchen sink mod, and honestly if I went Friedman now, that’s probably what I’d be after. All great amps though!!

 

[cragginshred]

The phil X I owned was dark with no real upper mids along with the compression Dave adds it did not last long in my stable. Phil makes it sing. Maybe he ads a mid boost?

 

[LP Freak]

The phil X I owned was dark with no real upper mids along with the compression Dave adds it did not last long in my stable. Phil makes it sing. Maybe he ads a mid boost?

Not sure why he’d do that on his own signature amp

 

[cragginshred]

Not sure why he’d do that on his own signature amp

That's what I was thinking.....
Here is the one I had for a short time.

 

[anomaly]

I had an MC2 and couldn’t agree more about being brash. It caused ear fatigue to the point where it literally hurt.

I hate amps like that. A Wizard and me would definitely not get along.

 

[LPMojoGL]

All the forums are necro bumped today.

 

[VHTStark]

Y

I hate amps like that. A Wizard and me would definitely not get along.

You just may get along with it! The combination of the bright control, contour, presence and tone stack allow you to make an MCII as brash and bright or dark as you wish; very powerful controls and I was surprised how much effect they have. Not subtle like most amps.

 

[gtrwun]

All the forums are necro bumped today.

It’s been an infestation of necrosis for about a month now?

I don’t get it. At the very least, acknowledge that your bumping a thread from 5 years ago?

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I hate amps like that. A Wizard and me would definitely not get along.

Wizards can be brash/bright/cutting, but only by choice. There is so much adjustment to tone... you can also make it as dark as you desire, but without it being muffled or like it has a blanket over the speaker.